Washington keeps Peterson benched in season opener
PHILADELPHIA - The Washington Redskins on Sunday followed through on a decision they hinted at earlier in the week and benched former Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson in favor of Derrius Guice, Chris Thompson and Wendell Smallwood, who was signed last week after Philadelphia released him.
Peterson led the team with 1,042 yards rushing last season and his teammates named him offensive MVP.
After the game, Peterson said he knew about this decision f or some ti me leading up to the game. The Redskins needed more bodies for special teams, and Smallwood provided one. The 34- year-old counseled Gui ce, the new starter, and seemed demure when asked about his reaction to the demotion, repeating the phrase, “I can just control the things that I can control.” Yet he did not hide the fact that he didn't enjoy being held out.
“Of course it's not a role I want,” he said. “I'm 13 years in, and I've still got it. I've shown that, of course. I can play the game. But at the end of the day, I'm not the owner. I'm just a player. So when they call me up, they call me up. I'll be ready to play.”
Several Washington players were not happy about the decision to sit Peterson. ight tackle Morgan Moses did not hide his displeasure.
“You don't have too many walking Hall of Famers on your football team ,” Moses said .“I commend him, because it's obviously harder on him than me, being able to deal with just sitting on the sideline and stuff like that. But obviously, we think he's a hell of a football
player.”
Last week, Redskins' Coach Jay Gruden named Guice, who missed last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the starter and said the offense would run through him.
Here is how other Oklahomans in the NFL fared on Sunday:
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona (OU), was 29-of-54 passing for 308 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He ran for 13 yards on three carries.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland (OU), was 25-of38 passing for 285 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions.
Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore (OU,) had four catches for 147 yards including touchdown receptions of 47 and 83 yards.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore (OU), had eight receptions for 108 yards.
Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore (OSU), carried the ball seven times for 27 yards.
Damien Williams, RB, Kansas City (OU), rushed for 26 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Williams also had six catches for 39 yards.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City (OSU), had two catches for 16 yards and one carry for
5 yards before leaving the game late in the first half with an injured collarbone. He is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville (OU), had five catches for 30 yards and a touchdown with one rushing attempt for two yards.
Chris Carson, RB, Seattle (OSU), had 15 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown plus six receptions for 35 yards and a score.
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle (Kansas State/Tulsa Washington), caught one pass for a 44-yard touchdown.
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati (OU), had 10 rushing yards on six carries and 27 receiving yards on five catches.
Blake Jarwin, TE, Dallas (OSU/Tuttle), had three receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants (OU/Heritage Hall), had six catches for 42 yards.
George Kittle, TE, San Francisco (Norman High), had eight catches for 54 yards
Dan Bailey, K, Minnesota (OSU/Southwest Covenant) was four for four on extra point attempts.